classes

I’m not going to lie, sometimes college can be a lot. After my first year, and befriending quite a few upperclassmen, I’ve learned some helpful trick that has helped keep me sane and on top of things. So I thought I’d pass them on! Also, I essentially consider this part one of the honest guide to college, this one will be all about scheduling classes, going to them, and homework. I’m sure part two will come soon!

Scheduling Classes – Take a full load, but remember to keep it balanced.

Don’t schedule all of your tough classes in a single semester
I learned this hard way in the spring of my freshman year when attempting to tackle Human Physiology and Human Kinesiology (which had a lab). I then received amazing advice from my physiology professor in the summer when I re-took the class after dropping it in the spring. He shared the advice: “Science is like liquor, you don’t mix your -ology’s just like you don’t mix your liquors”

Try to schedule it so that you have a variety of homework.Nothing’s worse than being bogged down by a bunch of writing heavy courses, it’s best if you can have a mix. Some writing, tests, and worksheets are best to help break it up and not burn you out.

Speak to your advisor before scheduling classes
They’re there for a reason, to help guide you and make sure you stay on track. Plus, they also know if a class is easy, hard, writing-heavy, etc.

Keep in mind you WILL NEED time for homework and online classes when making your schedule
Which might mean choosing not to have classes on certain days, putting a two-hour break in between classes, or having all of your classes in the afternoon so you can study the mornings

If possible, keep your personality in mind when picking times
Sometimes it’s not possible to avoid 8AMs, but if you’re not truly a morning person and can schedule the class later in the day, do so! Due to my major, I had 8AMs both semesters freshman year, and I had friends who either fell asleep in class, were late, or missed because they just weren’t morning people.

Be sure to have a plan for eating meals!
Some professors will allow you to bring your lunch into class, but I prefer to have a break during lunch so I can relax while I eat.

Classes

Never go to class without a bottle of water and a pen and notebook
It’s amazing how much water you will drink throughout your day. Between walking around campus to class, all the time spent in class, etc. It’s good to have a bottle so you can get a drink without missing class. Plus, despite being a person who types all of their notes on their laptop, the number of times I’ve had a professor require us to take out a pen and piece of paper is amazing! So before leaving your dorm/apt before heading to class, ensure you have a water bottle, notebook, and pen!

If it’s a workday and you’re given the option to leave class and work elsewhere, actually use that time to work.
Freshman fall semester, my 8 AM was a class that was worksheet heavy, and my professor would give workdays, and I never took them, and would sleep in and would do it later – on Tuesday it was my only class, and on Thursday I had a night lab. But I wouldn’t have been able to do that in the spring.

Sit wherever you’re comfortable!
Most posts say to sit up front, but I where I sit depends on the class. If it’s a major related course, I sit closer to the front, but if it’s a block/gen ed class I sit further back. Also if you fidget or get up during class, sit further back to not distract others!

After the third class (usually), seats may as well be assigned
After the third class – roughly first week – whatever seat you’ve sat In is now yours. Don’t move and throw everyone else off unless you absolutely have to. Keep in mind this may not always be the case. My freshman evolutionary biology class constantly moved around even when we took our final.

Always be respectful and kind to your professors, TA’s, and classmates
Professors and TA’s are there to help you, and truly want you to succeed in the class, and there’s no reason to not be nice to your classmates. You could possibly make a friend, or just have someone to help you out with notes if you miss class.

Make at least one friend in every class
You don’t have to be BFFs, but chat with the person you sit beside every class so that you have someone to study or share notes with if you need to.

Homework

Unlike high school, you really can’t skip homework!
Homework in college piles up quickly and tends to be worth a decent percentage of your grade. Plus, they tend to be a bit bigger projects or papers, that consume quite a bit of time. It’s best to stay on top of it!

Break larger projects up into smaller deadlines
By doing so, it makes it easier to work on and helps prevent you from leaving it until the last minute

If a class has a lot of worksheets as homework, start a study group!
This is really helpful in math classes, especially if you get stuck on a problem cause then you have others who may be able to help.

Try to start homework as soon as you get it!
This is a big help! Try and start your homework once you get back from classes for the day, to ensure it gets done and doesn’t get pushed off till the last minute.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Whether it’s from your professor, TAs, tutors, or classmates. Don’t be afraid to go to them and ask for help.

Don’t ignore the syllabus!
As soon as you get the syllabus, enter all of the due dates into your planner. If you want to go the extra mile (hint: you do), go ahead and add in dates to start working on projects, too.

Work ahead, so you have flexibility in your schedule
– Work ahead, so you have time to hang out with your friends at the last minutes instead of being stuck in the library working on a project that’s due first thing in the morning.

NEVER PLAGIARIZE!!
I can’t stress this enough! It’s the fastest way to get kicked out of class, your program, or even school. If you’re not sure if it needs a citation, it needs a citation.

Number one rule
Do all of your work and do it the best you can. As long as you follow that, you’ll be golden.

Ally Gonzales is the founder & editor-in-chief of RunningSoleGirl. Along with blogging she is also juggling attending college and majoring in Exercise and Sports Science with a Sports Management minor.

Are you interesting in learning more about your health? Perhaps you want to understand how to get your body in better shape, or maybe you’re fascinated by what makes your body tick. If that’s the case, there are a few different paths you can take to learn more about your health. But before we get to the right paths to knowledge let’s consider one that you should avoid.

Make sure that you don’t start by conducting research online. If you type in any symptoms or signs of health issues online within five minutes, you are likely to diagnose yourself with a dangerous, perhaps life-threatening disease. The reason for this is obvious. Some of the most basic symptoms can crop up for no reason, or they can be the first sign of a fatal illness. But unless you have expert knowledge in this area, there’s no way to tell which it is. This brings us to the first pathway you can take to learn more about your health.

Study Medicine

If you want to learn more about your health and your body the best option is always going to be to study medicine. You probably think that you need to get great grades in school and have a massive IQ to study medicine, but that’s not true. Indeed you can take an RN to BSN online course with very little experience or existing knowledge. This will provide you with key information and give you the chance to get first-hand experience working in a hospital with patients. It is easily one of the best ways to learn more about the human body and your own health.

Talk To A Nutritionist

Of course, if you are interested in the state of your health specifically; you might want to think about speaking to a nutritionist. After all, ninety percent of health issues can be resolved by fixing your diet. You really are what you eat; whether you’re eating too much dairy, have an undiagnosed allergy to gluten or need to cut back on the red meats a nutritionist will be able to help.

Celebs regularly start by speaking to a nutritionist when they want to lose weight. So, if you are eager to get in shape, this could be a great place to begin.

Pick Up A Book

We definitely think that you need to stay offline if you want to learn more about the health. It’s impossible to ignore the scaremongering articles, and even positive health posts could lead you to weird sections of the web where you’ll be self-diagnosed with a fatal illness. However, you can still research and read. The books and resources that intern doctors read each night are readily available from sites like Amazon. If you’re interested in how your body works, why not read a few? Who knows it might encourage you to pursue a late career in medicine.

I hope this advice helps you find your own path to more knowledge about your health.

Ally Gonzales is the founder & editor-in-chief of RunningSoleGirl. Along with blogging she is also juggling attending college and majoring in Exercise and Sports Science with a Sports Management minor.

Motivation is one of the hardest things to come by when you’re trying to exercise. A lot of people struggle to keep themselves engaged with working out. When you don’t have the drive to do something like this, it can be very hard to force yourself to do it. And, this is a shame; it doesn’t have to be this way. Instead, you just have to find a new way to spark the excitement for exercise in yourself. For a lot of people, the best way to do this is by working as a group or a pair. To help you out with this, this post will be going through some ideas for sports which can be completed this way. But, first, what benefits do working this way bring you?Working with others in the pursuit of fitness is almost always better than trying to do it alone. Even if it’s just for emotional support; having someone else around during this time is always good. Your motivation will be benefited; because you will feel like people are relying on you to turn up to each session. And, you will feel much more engaged with the exercise. Along with this, having other people to compare your results with gives you a reference to gauge your success. As you share your results, you’ll find that healthy competition is sparked. This will further drive you to keep going. A lot of people don’t like going to the gym simply because they find it boring and unpleasant. But, having someone else with you for this sort of activity will always help to alleviate this feeling. Let’s take a look at some of the options you have.

#1 Jogging Groups

A lot of people find that they enjoy running, once they get out there; but, motivation to get going is often hard to find. Instead, people don’t make it as far as taking their first few strides. Because of the effectiveness of running and jogging, it’s one of the best exercises you can take part in. So, it’s a shame to see that so many people miss out on it because they just don’t have the push to get going. Of course, this could be solved by going to the gym with a buddy. But, this is thinking small! Most places already have clubs set up for the purpose of group runs. A personal trainer will run at the head of the pack, allowing everyone to keep a reasonable and fair pace. Having people around you as you do this will push you further. And, having someone else in control of the route and the distance you run will force you to run the course of the exercise.

#2 Yoga

This next option isn’t quite as intense as running; but, it can still be very good for the body. Yoga hasn’t been around for long, in its current from. Most Yoga practice comes from areas like India and Nepal; thanks to the religions which are predominant in these areas. The activity itself is based on performing long and slow movements to stretch and work your muscles. And, it works. A lot of people herald yoga as one of the best ways to tone your body and make it look sleek and fit. Alongside some basic cardio exercise, Yoga will be enough for most people to have a huge boost in self-esteem. And, most of the clubs offering it are very cheap. But, you could consider taking at the best yoga sites list from bestyogablog.com and consider running your own group. This sort of effort will be worth it; especially as you see people improving with you.

Teams

Of course, some people won’t want to put this sort of effort in. And, others won’t want to do something which is just a regular exercise. If you fall into this category; it’s not an issue, you just need to find an alternative. Team sports provide a way for you to get involved with something you already love and enjoy; while also getting fitter. The pressure you’ll feel to go to each training session will be enough to drive you through. And, to make things even more inspiring, you’ll probably get the chance to compete. Playing your favorite sport against other people is one of the best ways to motivate yourself in this area.

Hopefully, this will give you a good idea of what needs to be done; if you want to start working on getting fit as a group. It can be hard to find motivation when you’ve got nothing to strive for. But, simply adding other people to the mix will get rid of the need for motivation. Instead, you’ll be relying on horror you feel at the idea of letting others down.

Ally Gonzales is the founder & editor-in-chief of RunningSoleGirl. Along with blogging she is also juggling attending college and majoring in Exercise and Sports Science with a Sports Management minor.

Really hate the gym? If so, don’t worry! You don’t need to torture yourself and drag yourself to your nearest gym each day. In fact, there are plenty of fun and quirky ideas that can help you get fit. So, if you don’t feel particularly motivated you can try one of these super cool fitness ideas for couch potatoes!

Join A Hula Hoop Class

So you may not be a fan of spinning, Pilates, or any other traditional gym class, and I’m sure you’re not on your own! In actual fact, lots of gyms know that there are loads of people who don’t like regular fitness classes, which is why they are now starting to introduce ones that have a fun twist! For instance, hula hoop classes are becoming more and more popular around the world. It’s a great way to get fit with one of your favorite childhood pastimes!

Organize A Color Run

Since 2010, color runs seem to have taken over the country! These unique runs are a great way to boost your fitness and to have some fun with your friends. One of the main features of color runs is that they focus on entrants having run rather than the competitive nature of the race. During the race, non-toxic dry paint is thrown across the runners so that they run through a colorful cloud! This is certainly one race that you will never forget! If you want to organize your own race, you can buy the special color powder from various sites online.

Try Pole Dancing

Did you know that pole dancing actually provides an excellent workout? It’s a great exercise that focuses on your core and helps to keep all your muscles strong and supple. The benefits of this workout were only fully discovered a few years ago, and since then it has exploded onto the fitness scene. There are now lots of classes dotted around the country that range from beginner routines to ones for experts. There are also some classes that include energetic dance sections into the routines for those who want a fantastic aerobic workout.

Get A Mini Trampoline

If your main problem with traditional exercise and fitness classes is that they are too boring, then I have a great alternative for you. Why not treat yourself to a mini trampoline? These are small enough for you to use them in your home, and they offer a great aerobic and core workout. Lots of gyms also hold classes that are all done on these special kinds of trampolines. You’ll be amazed at just how much effort goes into busting some moves on these small trampolines! It won’t take you long to experience all the fitness benefits.

What’re Your Thoughts

As you can see, you don’t have to suffer in the gym if you don’t want to. There are lots of different fitness options for you to try, some of which are super quirky and fun!

Ally Gonzales is the founder & editor-in-chief of RunningSoleGirl. Along with blogging she is also juggling attending college and majoring in Exercise and Sports Science with a Sports Management minor.

Working out doesn’t have to be all about slogging it at the gym, spin classes, and circuit training, although they certainly have their time and place. Exercise can also be fun, exciting, or just plain silly. Here are some fun activities that are workouts that you can try your hand at, and get a great workout in the process.…

Ally Gonzales is the founder & editor-in-chief of RunningSoleGirl. Along with blogging she is also juggling attending college and majoring in Exercise and Sports Science with a Sports Management minor.

Not a day goes by with an Instagram celeb launching a new eating plan, or workout DVD promising amazing results. Fitness is a favorite topic in magazines, and online. But with so much information how do you pick what is right for you? How do you even narrow down the options to find out what might work for you? Well, read on to find out what you should know before picking a workout.…

Ally Gonzales is the founder & editor-in-chief of RunningSoleGirl. Along with blogging she is also juggling attending college and majoring in Exercise and Sports Science with a Sports Management minor.

When anyone says the word ‘exercise,’ a lot of us end up groaning. But it’s such as an essential part of our daily life to keep us healthy and fit. We must try and do at least 30 minutes a day if you want to maintain a healthy weight. However, research has found only 48% of adults in the USA are getting enough exercise to make a difference to their health. A lot of people are put off as they feel it’s boring and hard work. However, not all exercise has to be like this. There are so many fun classes you can attend which will work your body while having a great time. Here are some thrilling exercise classes you need to try, that will not leave you feeling bored!…

Ally Gonzales is the founder & editor-in-chief of RunningSoleGirl. Along with blogging she is also juggling attending college and majoring in Exercise and Sports Science with a Sports Management minor.

If you don’t like spinning classes, dislike the idea of shaking your maracas at Zumba and HIIT isn’t doing it for you, then why not give rowing a go instead? It’s one of the most effective exercises for a full body workout and guess what, it works just as well inside as it does outdoors. And unlike cycling rowing has a double whammy of resistance. It creates resistance both back and forward, which will quickly make you leaner and stronger. It also burns three times as many calories as spinning does.

Ally Gonzales is the founder & editor-in-chief of RunningSoleGirl. Along with blogging she is also juggling attending college and majoring in Exercise and Sports Science with a Sports Management minor.

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Welcome to RunningSoleGirl! I’m Ally Gonzales a college sophomore majoring in Sports Science with a Sports Management minor. Merely trying to figure life out while aiming for that BQ time.